Anchovies may be small, but they pack a surprising amount of protein, sodium, and potassium into each fillet. This calculator estimates the potassium content of anchovies using USDA reference values for canned anchovies packed in oil and drained of liquid. It is designed for nutrition students, meal planners, athletes, and anyone tracking micronutrient intake.
Use the serving amount controls to enter portions in grams, ounces, fillets, or tins, and the tool will return potassium in milligrams, the percentage of the FDA Daily Value (4,700 mg), serving weight, and a banana-equivalent comparison. An optional potassium-density field lets you customize values for a specific brand or product.
The step-by-step breakdown shows exactly how each number is calculated, making it easy to verify results or reuse the method for other ingredients.
🐟 Anchovy Potassium Calculator
Estimate potassium in canned anchovies by weight, fillet, or tin.
Default: 383 mg per 100 g drained canned anchovies (USDA).
📊 Results
Calculation breakdown
Quick Start: How to Use This Tool
Enter a serving amount using the number box and select the unit that matches how you measure anchovies: grams, ounces, fillets, or tins. The calculator converts everything to grams, then applies the potassium density of canned anchovies drained of oil. By default it uses 383 mg per 100 g, based on USDA FoodData Central values. Click "Calculate potassium" to see milligrams of potassium, percent of the 4,700 mg Daily Value, serving weight, and the number of medium bananas that would provide the same potassium. The breakdown under the results shows each step so you can follow the math.
Tip: Weigh drained fillets rather than guessing. Oil and brine add weight but do not add meaningful potassium, so drained weight gives a more accurate number.
The Math Behind the Count
Potassium is calculated with a simple proportion:
Potassium (mg) = serving weight (g) ÷ 100 × potassium per 100 g (mg)
If you enter 4 ounces, the tool first converts ounces to grams using 1 oz = 28.3495 g. If you enter fillets, it uses an approximate drained weight of 2 g per fillet. A small tin is treated as 50 g drained and a large tin as 75 g drained. The percent Daily Value uses the FDA adult reference value of 4,700 mg per day, so the formula is:
% Daily Value = potassium (mg) ÷ 4,700 × 100
Reference basis: The default density of 383 mg potassium per 100 g comes from USDA FoodData Central entries for European anchovies canned in oil, drained solids. Values can vary slightly by brand, packing medium, and fish species.
Worked Examples
Example 1 — 5 fillets: Five fillets weigh about 10 g (5 × 2 g). Potassium = 10 ÷ 100 × 383 = 38 mg, about 0.8% of the Daily Value.
Example 2 — one small tin: A 50 g drained tin gives 50 ÷ 100 × 383 = 191.5 mg, rounded to 192 mg, about 4.1% DV.
Example 3 — 100 g portion: A 100 g portion is the easiest reference: 383 mg potassium, which is about 8.1% of the Daily Value. That is the same potassium contribution as roughly 0.9 medium bananas (a 422 mg reference banana).
Anchovy Potassium Reference Table
| Portion | Approx. drained weight | Potassium | % Daily Value (4,700 mg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 fillet | 2 g | 8 mg | 0.2% |
| 5 fillets | 10 g | 38 mg | 0.8% |
| Small tin | 50 g | 192 mg | 4.1% |
| Large tin | 75 g | 287 mg | 6.1% |
| 100 g | 100 g | 383 mg | 8.1% |
Accuracy and Real-World Considerations
Use these numbers as a guide, not a lab measurement. Anchovy products vary in fillet size, salt content, packing oil, and moisture. USDA values describe drained solids, so if you eat anchovies straight from the tin with the oil, total weight and nutrients will differ slightly. Anchovies are also very high in sodium — roughly 3,668 mg per 100 g drained — so they are not the first food most dietitians recommend when the goal is a high-potassium diet. They can still contribute potassium, protein, and omega-3 fats when used in small amounts.
Warning: If you follow a potassium-restricted diet for kidney disease, check with your healthcare provider before adding anchovies or any concentrated fish product to your meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are anchovies a good source of potassium? They provide a useful amount — about 383 mg per 100 g drained — but a typical serving of 5 fillets supplies only 38 mg. Compare that with a medium banana at 422 mg or a potato at around 900 mg. Anchovies are more valuable for flavour, protein, and omega-3s than as a potassium powerhouse.
Should I use drained or undrained anchovies? The USDA reference values are for drained solids. Measuring undrained anchovies with oil will overestimate the amount of actual fish and can distort potassium calculations slightly.
Can I change the potassium density? Yes. If a package label gives a different number, enter it in the density box. This is especially useful when using a specific brand or anchovy product such as fillets in olive oil or anchovy paste with added ingredients.
How does this compare with other nutrient calculators? If you are checking other nutrients for anchovies, try the anchovy protein per 100 g calculator or the anchovy net carb calculator. For potassium from other foods, the same method can be applied using the nutrient value on any food label.